Maroochydore – Continued

Latest update from Maroochydore as we leave tomorrow:

Sightseeing – Eumundi Markets

We couldn’t come to the Sunshine Coast without visiting the renowned Eumundi Markets which are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Katie and Mick joined us on Wednesday at the caravan park and we drove up to Eumundi in the beaut ute – we knew the twin cab would come in handy!  In our combined opinion this really was one of the best markets we had visited, and we’ve seen a few.  There was a great variety of food and drink stalls, plus clothing and other unique items.  The stall holders certainly pride themselves on keeping their products individual and original, and it makes the experience so much better.  I just love the buskers and the atmosphere they create.

Ann, Mick & Katie at Eumundi Markets

Sights from Eumundi Markets

Mick & Ann at Eumundi Markets

Buskers at Eumundi Markets

Buskers at Eumundi Markets

Buskers at Eumundi Markets

After a good look around the market and making some judicious purchases, we stopped at the Imperial Hotel for lunch – the portion sizes were very generous and the food was very tasty.

Generous Meals at Imperial Hotel

Lunch at Imperial Hotel

Lunch at Imperial Hotel

From Eumundi we made our way back towards Maroochydore and stopped off at The Ginger Factory in Yandina on the way to quickly show Katie and Mick around.  We were also in time to visit the nearby Coffee Roastery and enjoyed a very nice coffee.  We also bought some coffee beans for later!  Our Yandina stop continued with a visit to the macadamia nut factory next door, where more purchases were made.

We made it back to Cotton Tree caravan park in time for happy hour, and Katie and Mick joined us for a while before heading off home.

Downunda & Katie catch up at Happy Hour

Sightseeing – Buderim

Downunda and Faye suggested that we should go to lunch in Buderim, and we thought that would be a great idea!  Buderim is a beautiful small town although it does seem to have outgrown its main street with resultant traffic delays and parking issues.  We didn’t realise that it would be so hilly here.  Lunch was at the Buderim Tavern and the views and the food were magnificent.  After lunch we went for a good walk around town before stopping for coffee and then finding our way back down the mountain.

Faye Downunda & Ann outside Buderim Tavern

Catching Up with Friends – Amanda and David

Our friends Amanda and David are refugees from Victoria and moved to a property near Noosa about 18 months ago.  We were delighted when they invited us to stay with them for a couple of days to catch up.

Amanda and David live in a tropical paradise of 5 acres, with 4 dams, plenty of sheds, two cows, two goats, chooks, ducks, fruit and nut trees, veggies and a hot house; and a fantastic “Queenslander” house and a separate cottage.  They share their paradise with Felix the dog and Millie the cat.

We arrived late Friday afternoon and had a quick look around the property before enjoying a delicious home cooked meal.  On Saturday morning we returned to Eumundi as Amanda and David had to vote at the local school.  After a quick look around the market we returned to the Imperial Hotel for lunch.  Then it was back to the farm to have a longer look around, enjoy another great meal and then watch the footy and the election on TV.

We thoroughly enjoyed Amanda and David’s hospitality and especially appreciated the meals made from so much home grown produce.

David and Amanda with Felix and Millie

Departure of Downunda and Faye

We arrived back at the caravan park on Sunday morning to farewell Downunda and Faye as they left to head back to Melbourne after spending about 10 weeks here at Maroochydore.  We’ll catch up with them again once we get home.

Sightseeing – Noosa

Ann was last in Noosa something like 40 years ago and assures me that it sure looks a lot different now.  I had never been to Noosa before so I can’t compare.  We made sure to walk up and down the iconic Hastings Street and stopped for coffee and later for gelati ice-cream.  This is very much a resort town with a mix of prestige and local goods and services on offer.  There is also quite a bit of ongoing building and development.  After a quiet sit at the beach we enjoyed a light lunch before heading back to Maroochydore via the scenic route past Palmer Coolum Resort and some of the smaller beach towns.

Glorious Noosa Beach

Then it was back to the fiver to make a start on packing up for our departure tomorrow.